Stiff sanctions sought for online abuse of women, children

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday sought a 10-year prison sentence against netizens behind a private Facebook account that circulates lewd and illicit photos of women and children on social media.

Senator Risa Hontiveros(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)

At the same time, Hontiveros urged Congress to pass the measure seeking an anti-gender-based online violence law to put a stop to nefarious groups that share obscene photos of women and children on all social media platforms.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, made the call after reports surfaced that there are “secret groups” on Facebook and other social media platforms that are actively posting and sharing explicit photos of women and children.

She said one such group—the “Pastor Hokage Bible Study,” whose members are mostly men, use terms like “Amen” to express their approval for obscene photos and sexist posts of women and children.

Hontiveros vowed to conduct an investigation on the issue and hold accountable all those behind the said “secret groups.”

She said her office has already started coordinating with Facebook, pro-women netizens and the National Bureau of Investigation.